Masters 1,000 | Nadal wins at full speed and Schwartzman awaits him

Although it is no longer a surprise to anyone, it is still astonishing that Rafa Nadal is able to return again and again, due to different circumstances, and that he does so always, or almost always, at the highest level. Your competitive capacity has no limits. He showed it last Wednesday against Pablo Carreño, although it is true that the Asturian was tired after playing the semifinals of the US Open and without time to adapt to the ground. But is that This Friday, the Spaniard overwhelmed Dusan Lajovic (6-1 and 6-3 in 91 minutes), who arrived last week in RomeHe had already played an exhibition match on clay, in Djokovic's infamous Adria Tour, and had beaten Davidovich and Raonic in the Italian tournament. In that way Rafa will play for the 93rd time the quarterfinals of a Masters 1,000. He will face this Saturday not before 20:30 (Movistar Deportes) the Argentine Diego Schwartzman, who came back to beat the Polish Hurkacz 3-6, 6-2 and 6-4.

In an empty Centrale, which will have an audience in the semifinals and in the final (1,000 spectators every day), Nadal started the game by winning his serve and with a subsequent break, although he immediately gave in on his duty shift. A mirage for Lajovic, because afterwards he did not let him win a single game until 4-1 in the second set. On his way to a beating, the world number two took a break and conceded a second break. Nothing was happening. He had the situation fully under control and executed his plan with an increase in the level of his serve and a last break.

ANDThe Balkan could not control Nadal's drive almost at any time, nor did he catch him in a resignation when he looked for the crossed backhand. And, to top it all, the one from Manacor pulled out of his hat some of those blows that are highlight meat, like a winner with his lethal left hand from off the track and far behind that came down like a bolt from the heights. In short, Rafa did what he wanted and when he wanted, with amazing ease. He is the same as always, the cannibal of the earth, the enemy to beat and whom everyone fears. Nadal.

Results of the day.